How does the food environment relate to food consumption experiences in Turkish immigrants living in Heilig Hartwijk in Ghent?

Abstract

Objectives of the study: The main objective of this study is to identify the food security profile and needs of the Turkish immigrants in neighborhood Heilig Hartwijk. Study aims to ensure a healthier, more sustainable and more affordable food for those at risk of food insecurity. Spesifically, the study focused on (1) key drivers of food insecurity; (2) barriers to healthy eating; (3) access to nutritional information within the Turkish immigrant community; (4) desired improvements in the local food retail environment of Heilig Hartwijk.

Methodology: In total, individual interviews were concluded of 9 purposively and theoretically sampled participants. Data collection took place between the dates of March and April 2024. Verbatim interview transcription based qualitative data analysis was performed using NVivo (11.0). Development of the coding frame began with the application of the 8B's framework as a guiding structure to initially group 27 interview questions by each, subsequently participants' responses. These emerging themes were not directly dictated by the 8B's framework but rather surfaced as patterns of meaning across different groups of data, prompting an inductive approach. Data analysis process, selection of study are and participant selection according to social charachteristics and unique participant response referencing were applied to enhance the accuracy of the results.

Results: The study has found that key drivers of food insecurity were mainly evolving around accessibility, as transportation and local infrastructure; affordability as high prices of food were a highlighted topic of the participants; reliability and understandability as of food communication to access nutritional information. Participants, when asked about the desired improvements in local food retail environment, were eager to share more other ideas. Study have also found that individual preferences such as food quality standards and religious restrictions played a significant role in their food choices.

Conclusion: Addressing food insecurity among Turkish immigrants in Heilig Hartwijk requires interventions that consider both economic and cultural factors. Key recommendations include improving public transportation, promoting community-based programs, enhancing food communication, and implementing food quality certification for market vendors. Additionally, fostering community engagement and trust through ethical consumption and transparent communication is essential.

— Abstract, taken from the master dissertation.